Control system



Aug.. 27, 1935. J, wfMcNAlRY Er AL. 2,012,824

CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 1, 1934 Inventor: Jacob W McNair-"H, Havold @.Moore,

bij Attor" web.

P.ieeied )Keg-127,

vrn'reirr ori-ica coN'rnoL SYSTEM Jacob W. McNalry,

Erie, and lilarold G. Moore,

Wesleyville, Pa., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New` York Application December 1, 1934, serial 10.755558 17 Claims.

' of control functions in predetermined sequence lil -lil

and has for an object the provision of a simple and reliable'relay system for accomplishing such.

sequential control in response to predetermined operating conditions of the device to be controlled. v

In controlling the operation of various types of energy translating devices, such as electric motors, it i`s oftendesirable. in order toobtain vsatisfactory operation, to accomplish the proper control byfmeans' of a plurality of definite control steps, each control step being initiated upon the attainment "of a predetermined operating condition of'thegdevice.f'fvfor'example in the operation of electrifmotorsf itmay'be desirable to vary thejfieldexcitation thereof in predetermined stepsas thermotors are accelerated. A particularf instance of the desirability of such control is` .fo'und inthe acceleration of singlephase motors of the commutator type. Improved commutation of such motors throughout the accelerating range mayl be obtained by accelerating the motors from standstill to a Dredeterminedspeed with reduced field excitation, by accelerating the motors to a second speed with full kiield excitation :and finally, by shifting the phase relation of the interpole field excitation at a predetermined higher motor speed.

Various lrelay systems have heretofore been provided for accomplishing such sequential control by means of a plurality of relays responsive to an operating characteristic of the device to be controlled, each of the relays being arranged to` operate ata different predetermined operating condition of the device. Much is yet to be desired, however, in a simple and reliable control system of kthis type. Accordingly, it is a further object of our invention to provide a simple and reliable relay'sy'stem in Awhich a single relay arranged to be successively responsive to the attainment of'a plurality of operating conditions is eiiectivejselectively to actuate a plurality of control devices. In carrying out our invention in one form, we provide a control system which includes a pluy rality of control devices and a two-position relay arranged to be `responsivefto a predetermined operating condition of thedevice to be controlled to actuate one of the control devices, together with means controlled by an operation of the rclay for returning the relay to its first position and for rendering the relay responsive to a second operating condition, the second operation of the recontrol devices.

' and means actuated by `pole field current. its operating winding 22 being deenergized, the

f the reactance 23 and Our invention relates to control systems, more particularly to systems for exercising a plurality lay then being effective to actuate another of the Means are also provided for preventing operation of the control devices out of predetermined sequence. More specifically, we provide a voltage relay connected for energization in accordance with the armature voltage ofamotor and arranged to respond to the attainment of a predetermined armature voltage to actuate one of a plurality of field control devices, the one control device for inserting additional impedance into the energizing circuit of the voltage relay to render the relay responsive to another value of armature n voltage. Selective means are provided for actuating another of said control devices upon a second operation of the relay and for preventing actuation of the control devices out of predetermined sequence.

For a more complete understanding of our invention. reference should now be had to the drawing, the single iigureof which is a dlagramrnatic illustration of a control system ernbodying our invention. Y

Referring now to the drawing. we have shown our invention in one form as applied to a singlephase alternating-current commutator motor I having a main exciting field winding Il, an interpole iield winding I2 and a compensating field winding I3. In order to control the field lexcitation of the motor I0 in the desired sequence of l steps during the acceleratingperiod, a pair of control devices or contactors vllano I5 are provided. The contacter I4 is arranged selectively to connect an impedance I6 inparallel circuit relation with the exciting fieldv winding Il andisy provided with an operating winding Il and a. plurality of interlock contacts I8, I9, and- 2l respectively. The contactor I5 is provided with an operating winding 22 and is arranged as shown selectively to vary the circuit connections of a reactance 23 and resistances 2l and 25 to vary the effective impedance of a shunt circuit around the interpole field winding I2 and thus control the phase relation and magnitude of the inter- When in the position shown,

contractor I5 establishes a short circuit around thev reactance 23 while the resistances 24 and 25 are connected in series with each other across the interpole field winding I2. When the contactor I5 is moved to its uppermost position by energization of its operating winding 22, it opens the short circuit around the reactance 23 and short-circuits the resistance 24, thus connecting the resistance 25 in series with each other across the interpole fleld winding. It will thus be observed that the reactance 23 and the resistance 24 are selectively short-.circuited.

A controller 26, shown as a conventional drum type controller, is provided for accelerating the motor I0. While the circuit connections and apparatus for supplying energy to the motor through the controller from a suitable singlephase alternating current source have been omitted in order to simplify the drawing, it will be understood that any suitable apparatus may be connected for energization in accordance with the voltage across the motor armature, which voltage varies substantially as the speed of the motor during the acceleration period. An impedance 3| is arranged selectively to be connected in series circuit relation with the operating windings 29 and 30 or to be short-circuited by the interlock 20 in order tovary the voltage setting of the relay 21.

It will be observed that the operating element 28 Is provided with an operating shaft 32, indicated by the broken line, connected to an operating yoke 33,the yoke 33 being biased by means of a spring 34 against movement in a counterclockwise direction. Cooperating with the yoke 33 is an operating rod 35 connected through an insulating portion 36 to a pivoted contact or switchmember 31. A biasing spring 38 is arranged normally to maintain the contact member 31 in one of two positions. Arranged adjacent the movable contact 31, We provide a pair of xed contacts 39 and 40, the contacts 31 being movable therebetween to engage one or the other of the xed contacts 39 and 40 without overlapping. As shown, the member 31 is biased by the spring 38 into engagement with the contact 40. Our improved control system also includes a lin'e contactor 4| for controlling the energizing circuit of the motor I0 and an auxiliary relay 42, the line contactor 4| being provided with an operating Winding 43 and with interlock contacts 44 and 45.

With` the above description of the principal elements in mind, it is believed that a complete understanding of our invention may now be had from the description which follows of the operation of the system as a whole.

In general, when the controller 26 is moved to its first position, the operating windings I1 and 43 are energized to close the shunt controlling contactor I4 andthe line contactor 4I. -As the motor begins to accelerate under reduced exciting eld and with the resistances 24 and 2 5 connected in shunt across the interpole eld winding I2, the operating windings 29 and 30 of the relay 21 are energized in accordance with the voltage across the armature of the motor I0. It will be observed that when the contactor I4 is in its circuit closing position, a short circuit is imposed upon the impedance 3| by the interlock contacts 20, and the relay 21 isaccordingly responsive to a relatively low voltage which corresponds to the speed at which it is desired to change over to full fleld excitation. When the motor ||I attains this predetermined speed, the relay 21 operates to into the energizing circuit of the operating windl ings 29 and 30. The relay 21 is thereby rendered responsive to a second predetermined higher motor speed, and the torque exerted by the windings 29 and 30 is so decreased as to permit the biasing springs 34 and 38 to return the operating elements of the relay to normal position. 'When the motor I0 attains the speed at which it is desired to shift the phase relation of the interpole field excitation, the relay 21 operates again and the eld controlling contactor I5 is actuated to vary the circuit connections of the reactance 23 and the resistances 24 and 25. The desired sequence of eld control steps havingnow been performed, the motor IIJ may be accelerated to the desired running speed without further change v in its eld excitation. The details of the selective circuits for obtaining the above sequence of operation will 'now be described in order that a full understanding of our invention may be had.

Assuming that the motor circuit is deenergizedl and that the various control elements are in the position shown in the drawing, when the controller 26 is moved to its first notch or position to initiate operation, a circuit is established for energizing the winding I1 to close the field controlling contactor I4 and the interlocks I8, 20 and 2| carried thereby. This energizing circuit may be traced from the positive control bus 46 through the lconductor 41, the controller s'egments 48 and 49, the conductor 50, the relay contacts 40 and 31, the conductors 5|, and 52, the interlock contacts 44 and the operating winding I1 to the negative control bus 53. In its closed' position the contactor I4 serves to connect the impedance I6 in parallel circuit relation with the exciting eld winding I| to reduce the eld excitation of the motor I Il during starting, and the interlock contacts I8 are arranged to bypass the interlock contacts 44, which are arranged in the energizing circuit of the Winding I1 to prevent initial energization of the contactor I4 when the line contactor 4I is in closed circuit position, in order that the operating winding I1 may remain energized upon the subsequent closing of the line contactor 4I. The interlock contacts 20, as pointed out above, impose a short circuit upon the impedance 3| to render the relay 21 responsive to a relatively low value of armature voltage, and the interlock contacts 2| complete an energizing circuit for the operating winding 43 which may be traced from the positive control bus 46 through the conductor 41, the controller segments 48 and 49, the conductor 54, the conductor 55, the operating Winding 43 and the interlock contacts 2| to the negative control bus 53. Energization of the Winding 43 actuates the line contactor 4| to its circuit closing position, the interlock contacts 45 serving to bypass the interlock contacts 2| in order that the Winding 43 may remain energized when the contactor I4 subsequently opens, and the motor I8 thereupon begins to accelerate under reduced eld excitation.

When the motor I0 reaches the speed at which tion, the operating element 28 of the relay moves in a counterclockwisedirection against the force exerted by the biasing springs 34 and 38 to move the contact member 31 out of engagement with the xed contact 40 and into engagement with the fixed contact 39. This disengagement of the contacts 31 and 40 opens the energizing circuit for the winding I1 whereby the contactor I4 opens to apply full eld excitation to the motor I and the interlock contacts I8 open to prevent reenergization of the winding I1 when the contact member 31 is returned to normal position by the biasing springs 34 and 38 against the decreased, torque Awhich is now exerted by the operating windings 29 and 30, due to the insertion of the impedance 3| into the relay energizing circuit by the interlock contacts 20. The momentary engagement of the relay contacts 31 and 39 which are connected in circuit with the winding 22 is ineffective upon this first operation of the relay` to energize the winding 22, due to the open circuit position of the auxiliary relay 42, an energizing circuit for which is partially completed by the interlock contacts I9.

With the impedance 3| in circuit with the operating windings 29 and 30, the relay contact 31 is returned to its normal position and the relay is responsive to a higher value of armature voltage corresponding to the motor speed at which it is desired to shift the phase relationship of the interpole field excitation. Reengagement of the relay contacts 31 and 40 when the relay returns to its normal position completes an energizing circuit for the auxiliary relay 42 which may be traced from the positive control bus 46 through the conductor 41, the controller segments 48 and 49, the conductor 50, the relay contacts 40 and 31, the conductors 5I and 56, the winding 42 and the interlock contacts I9 to the negative control bus 53, and the contacts of the relay 42 close, partially to complete an energizing circuit for the winding 22.

When the motor attains the predetermined higher speed at which it is desired to shift the phase relation of the interpole ileld excitation, the relay contact 31 is again moved out of engagement with the contact 40 and into engagement with the contact 39, thereby completing an energizing circuit for the winding 22 which may be traced from the positive control bus 46 through the conductor 41, the controller segments 48 and 49, the conductors 54 and 51, the contacts of the auxiliary relay 42, the conductors 56 and 5I, the contacts 31 and 39, the conductor 58 and the winding 22 to the negative control bus 53. Uponv energization of the winding 22, the eld controlling contactor I5 moves to its upper position tc open the short-circuit around the reactance 23 and complete a short-circuit around the re'sistance 24 to thereby alter the phase relationship of the interpole fieldk currents.

The motor I0 may now be accelerated to its iinal running position without further change in the control circuits. It will be apparent that as the speed of the motor I0 varies above or below the predetermined speed at which the relay 21 is adjusted to shift the interpole ileld excitation, the relay 21 will operate between its two positions to energize or deenergize the winding 22 and thereby shift the phase relationship of the interpole eld excitation accordingly. Beyond this point, however, our control system is not reversible. l

When the controller 26 is returned to its ott position, the controller segments 48 and 49 are effective to open the circuit from the positive control bus 44, and the various control devices return to the normal positions shown in the drawing.

VVhlle we have shown a particular embodiment of our invention, it will be understood, of course, that we do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and we therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A control system for an energy translating device comprising a two-position relay responsive to a predetermined operating condition of said device, means responsive to operation of said relay for changing the setting of said relay whereupon said relay returns to normal position for a second operation upon the occurrence of a second predetermined operating condition, a plurality of control devices, and means selectively responsive to successive operations of said relay for operating said control devices in sequence.

2. A control system for an energy translating device comprising a relay responsive to a predetermined operating condition of said device, said relay having a movable element normally biased to one ci two positions, means responsive to an operation of said movable element for changing the setting of said relay whereupon said movable element returns to said biased position for a second -operation upon the occurrence of a second predetermined operating condition, a plurality of control devices, and means selectively responsive to successive operations of said relay for operating said control devices in sequence.

3. A control system for an energy translating device comprising a twcposition relay, means for energizing said relay in accor-dance with an operating characteristic oisaid device, means responsive to an operation of said relay at a predetermined condition of said device for changing the impedance of said energizing means, whereby said relay is returned to normal position and rendered responsive to a second predetermined condition of said device, a plurality of control devices, and means selectively responsive to successive cpcrations of said relay for operating said control devices in predetermined sequence.

4. A control system for an energy translating device comprising a two-position relay provided with an operating winding energizable in accordance with an operating characteristic of said device, an impedance arranged to be connected in circuit with said winding, means responsive to an operation of said relay at a predetermined condition of said, device for inserting said impedance in circuit with said winding to render said relay responsive to another predetermined condition of said device, means for returning said relay to normal position when said impedance is inserted in said winding circuit, a plurality of control devices and means selectively responsive to successive operations o! said relay for operating sai control devices in predetermined sequence.

5. A controi system for an energy translating device comprising a relay having a winding energized in accordance with an electrical characteristic of said device, an operating element for said relay movable between two positions, means for biasing said operating element to one of said two positions, a plurality of control devices for controlling said energy translating device, means responsive to an operation of said element to its second position for actuating one of said control devices, means responsive to said actuation of said one control device for changing the setting of said relay whereby said movable element is returned to said biased position, and means responsive to a second operation of said movable element for actuating another of said controlling devices.

6. A control system for an energy translating device comprising a plurality of control devices, a two-position relay responsive to a predetermined operating condition of said energy 4trans.` lating device, means responsive to an operation of said relay for actuating one of said control devices, means responsive to an actuation of said one control device for changing the setting of said relay whereupon said relay is returned to its noru mal position, means responsive to a second actuation of said relay at another predetermined condition oi said translating device for actuating another of said control devices, and means for prefA venting actuation of said two control devices out oi sequence.

7. A control system for an energy translating device comprising a plurality of control devices, a two-position relay provided with an operating winding connected for energization in accordance with an electrical characteristic oi said translat ing device, means responsive to an operation oi? said relay at a predetermined condition of said translating device for actuating one of said control devices, an impedance arranged to be connected in circuit with said operating winding, means responsive to said actuation of said one control device for inserting said impedance in said operating winding circuit to change the setting of said relay, means for returning said relay to normal position when said relay setting is changed, means responsive to a second actuation of said relay at another predetermined condition of said translating device :for actuating another of said control devices, and means for preventing actuation of said control devices out of sequence.

8. A control system for an electric motor comprising a two-position relay energizable in accordance with the armature voltage of said mo tor, whereby said relay is responsive to the speed of said motor, means responsive to an operation of said relay at a predetermined motor speed for changing the setting of said relay, means for returning said relay to its normal position for a second operation at another predetermined motor speed, a plurality oi control devices for con-s trolling said motor, and means selectively re-1 sponsive to successive operations of said relay for operating said control devices in predetermined sequence.

9. A control system for a motor having a plu-` rality of field windings comprising control means for two of said windings, a two-position relay provided with an operating winding energizable in accordance with an electrical characteristic of said motor whereby said relay is responsive to a predetermined motor condition, means responsive to an operation of said relay when said motor attains said predetermined condition forv actuating one or said iield contro-l means, means actuated by said one control means for rendering said relay responsive to a second predeteru mined condition of said motor, and means responsive to a second actuation or" said relay for actuating said other field control means.

l0. A control system for a motor having a. plurality of field windings comprising control means for two oi said ,vindings, a relay provided with an operating winding energizable in accordance with an electrical characteristic of said motor whereby said relay is responsive to a. predetermined motor condition., means responsive to an operation of said 'relay when said motor attains said predetermined condition for actuating one of said field control means, an. impedance arranged to be connected in circuit with said operating Winding, means actuated by said one control means for inserting said impedance in said operating winding circuit to render said relay responsive to a second predetermined motor condition, and means responsive to a second operation of said relay when said motor attains said second predetermined condition for ctuating said other iield control means.

ll. A control system for a motor having a plurality of iield windings comprising control means for two of said windings, a split-phase shaded4 pole induction relay energizable in accordance with an electrical characteristic of said motor, said electrical characteristic varying as the speed of said motor whereby said relay is responsive to a predetermined motor speed, means responsive to an operation of said relay at said predetermined motor speed for actuating one oi' said iield control means, means actuated by said one control means for rendering said relay responsive to a second predetermined motor speed, and means responsive to a second operation oi said relay at said second predetermined rriotorV speed for actuating said other eld control means.

l2. A control system for a motor having a plurality of ileld windings comprising control means for two of said windings, a split-phase shaded pole induction relay having an operating winding energizable in accordance with an electrical 5 characteristic of said motor, said characteristic varying as the speed of said motor whereby said relay is responsive to a predetermined motor speed, means responsive to an operation of said relay at said predetermined motor speed for actuating one of said eld control means, an impedance arranged to be connected in circuit with said operating winding, means actuated by said one iield control means for inserting said impedance into said operating winding circuit to vary the energization of said winding whereby said relay is rendered responsive to a higher predetermined motor speed, and means responsive to a second operation of said relay at said predetermined higher motor speed for actuating said other eld control means.

i3. A control system for a motor having an exciting iield winding and an interpole winding, comprising a shunt for said exciting winding, 'means for disconnecting said shunt, a shunt for said interpole Winding including a resistance and a reactance, means for selectively short-circuiting said resistance or said reactance to vary the impedance of said interpole shunt, means for energizing said motor to accelerate the same, a split-phase shaded pole induction relay provided with an operating winding, said winding being connected for energization in accordance with' an electrical characteristic ci said motor varying as the speed oil said motor, said relay being responsive to a predetermined motor speed, means responsive to an operation of said relay at said predetermined motor speed for actuating said disconnecting means to remove said eX- citing eld shunt, an impedance arranged to be connected in circuit with said relay operating winding, means actuated by said disconnecting means for inserting said-impedance into said operating winding circuit to vary the energization or said winding whereby said relay is rendered responsive to a higher predetermined motor speed, and means responsive to a second operation of said relay at said predetermined higher motor speed for actuating said selective means to vary the impedance of said interpole shunt.

14. In a control system' for an electric motor, a relay having an operating element, an operat ing winding for said relay energizable in accordance with an electrical characteristic of said motor, means for biasing said operating element against movement until said motor attains a predetermined conditiommeans responsive to an operation of said relay at said preden termined condition for decreasing the energization of said operating winding whereby said biasing means returns said operating element to its biased position and said relay is rendered responsive to a predetermined second motor condition( l5. In a control system for an electric motor, a relay having an operating element, an operating winding for said relay energizable in accordance with an electrical characteristic of said motor, said characteristic varying as the speed of said motor, means for biasing said operating element to prevent movement thereof below a predetermined motor speed, an impedance arranged to be connected in circuit with said operating winding, means responsive to an operation of said relay at said predetermined motor speed for inserting said impedance into said winding circuit to decrease the energization of said winding whereby said operating element is returned by said biasing means to its biased position and said relay is rendered responsive to a predetermined higher speed.

16. A device comprising a relay responsive to a predetermined operating condition of said device having a pair of ilxed contacts and a switch memberv movable therebetween biased to provide a pair of normally closed contacts and a pair of `normally open contacts, said normally open contacts being ineffective when closed upon initial operation of said relay, a plurality of control devices, an auxiliary relay, means responsive to initial opening of said normally closed contacts for operating one of said control devices and for partially completing an energizing circuit for said auxiliary relay, means also responsive to said` control system for an energy translating initial opening for changing the setting of said relay whereupon said relay returns to normal position for a second operation at another pre determined operating condition, said normally closed contacts being effective when said relay returns to normal position to energize said. auxiliary relay to prepare a circuit for subsequent closure by said normally open contacts, and means responsive to ciosure of said circuit by said normally open contacts at said second predetermined operating condition for actuating another of said control devices.

i7. A control system for a motor having an exciting eld winding and an interpole field winding, comprising a shunt for said exciting winding, means for disconnecting said shunt, a shunt for said interpole winding includingr a resistance and a reactancc, means or selectively short-circuit ing said resistance or said reactance te vary the impedance of said interpole shunt, a relay responsive to a predetermined speed of said motor having a pair of iixed contacts and a switch member movable therebetween biased to provide a pair of normally closed contacts and a pair of normally open contacts, said normally open con-- tacts being ineffective when closed upon initial operation of said relay, an auxiliary relay associated with said speed responsive relay, means.. 'responsive toopening of said normally closed contacts upon initial operation of said relay for operating said field disconnecting means and for partially completing an energizing circuit for said auxiliary relay, means also responsive to said opening of said normally closed contacts for changing the setting of said reiay whereupon said switch member returns to normal position for a second operation at a predetermined higher motor speed, said normally closed contacts being effective when said switch member returns to normal position to energize, said auxiliary relay thereby to prepare a circuit for subsequent closure by said normally open contacts, and Ymeans responsive to closure of said circuit by said normally open contacts at said second predetermined speed for actuating said selective means to vary the impedance of said interpole shunt.

JACOB W'. McNAIRY. HAROLD G. MOORE. 

